scale
Fretboard diagram
D composite blues scale — chords and intervals
Harmonizing the D composite blues scale produces a comprehensive jazz chord family that merges major and minor blues structures into a single, flexible harmonic palette. The chords of D composite blues are D (1-♭3-4), E (1-2-3), F (1-2-3), Ab minor seventh, A minor seventh, Ab diminished, A minor, B diminished, C (1-3-♭5). The nine chords allow improvisers to freely mix happy and gritty chord colors over dominant harmony. This chord family is the ultimate toolkit for jazz-blues comping, providing every shade between major and minor. Commonly used in Jazz, Blues, Fusion, Funk. Notable players include John Scofield, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton.
The D composite blues scale has the following degrees: 1 2 ♭3 3 4 ♭5 5 6 ♭7.
Intervals: W-H-H-H-H-H-W-H-W.
Diatonic chords: D (1-♭3-4), E (1-2-3), F (1-2-3), Ab minor seventh, A minor seventh, Ab diminished, A minor, B diminished, C (1-3-♭5).
| Degrees | Chord |
|---|---|
| I | D (1-♭3-4) |
| ii | E (1-2-3) |
| iii | F (1-2-3) |
| IV | Ab minor seventh |
| V | A minor seventh |
| vi | Ab diminished |
| vii° | A minor |
| 8 | B diminished |
| 9 | C (1-3-♭5) |
Degree-by-Degree Analysis
The I chord (D (1-♭3-4)) is the tonic — the gravitational center of the key. The ii chord (E (1-2-3)) is the minor subdominant, commonly used to approach the V chord. The iii chord (F (1-2-3)) functions as a substitute for the I or vi. The IV chord (Ab minor seventh) is the subdominant — it adds motion and moderate tension. The V chord (A minor seventh) is the dominant — it creates the strongest tension that wants to resolve to the I. The vi chord (Ab diminished) is the relative minor — it brings emotional color and depth. The vii° chord (A minor) is the diminished — the most tense, rarely used alone, usually leading to the I.
This page focuses on the harmonic content — the chords built from each degree of the D composite blues scale. For fretboard patterns and fingering guides, see the scale page.
Use the interactive harmonizer above to explore triads, seventh chords, and chord voicings for composing with the D composite blues scale on guitar.
Related Scales
How to Use This Scale
Use over dominant 7th chords in blues and jazz-blues. Contains both major and minor 3rds, allowing fluid switching between bright and dark.